Abnormal Love

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. -- John 3:16-18 NKJV

You likely know the first part of that passage. I think anyone who's ever stepped foot in a church has been made to memorize it. You've seen John 3:16 hung from football stadium walls. The other two verses are very important as well, though, and key to understanding the abnormality of God's love.

God loved you and me so much that He literally took a part of Himself and gave that part for us. Jesus was sent out of Heaven to walk the Earth, teaching us what it is to love abnormally. Take a look:

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. -- Matthew 5:39 NIV

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. -- Matthew 5:44-45 NIV

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. -- Matthew 6:2 NIV

We don't always think about it this way, but Jesus came for the drunks, the thieves, the liars, the broken, the idolaters...and we all have those types of things inside of us! God loves us enough that He sacrificed a part of Himself on our behalf. For even the absolute worst among us, salvation is assured if we acknowledge that we need it. In turn, Jesus taught us while He was here what it is to love abnormally...to love like He does.

How hard of a time do you have turning the other cheek when someone attacks you? How do you feel when someone gossips about you behind your back? Do you have love and forgiveness in your heart then or are you ready to pounce? The sun and rain come down over all of us, not just those of us who feel we are above reproach.

You can't fake abnormal love. You are either filled with it or you are not. Your Father in Heaven knows your heart. He knows your desires. He knows what you need...and better than you do I might add. This week I have written a lot about a life lived abnormally. I encourage you to throw off the conventions of the world and live a life of abnormal focus, vision, obedience, and love. You do that and the you will be different, changed. People will see it and be drawn to it. Whatever about life has made you afraid will bleed away into insignificance, and you will be left with nothing but a clear picture of Jesus in your soul and a clear path to the finish line in your sights.